Odisha cop killed as seized crackers explode during disposal in Cuttack | Bhubaneswar News
BHUBANESWAR: A havildar was killed when a huge stockpile of firecrackers and explosives seized by police exploded during a disposal operation on the bank of the Kathajodi river in Cuttack on Friday. The deceased was identified as Pradip Kumar Mallick (47), a havildar stationed at the reserve police line in Cuttack. He was a trained member of the bomb disposal squad.
Mallick and two other constables carried huge quantities of crackers, seized by the police during Diwali last year, to the isolated Kathajodi riverbed for disposal.
As per procedure, the crackers were supposed to be destroyed through explosion with all safety precautions. When Mallick started the operation, the powerful explosives went off, leaving him critically injured. The other two constables, who were standing some distance away, managed to escape. They rushed a profusely bleeding Mallick to SCB Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police sources said there could be a possibility that some powerful crude bombs seized earlier by the cops may have got mixed up with the crackers. The blast was so intense that Mallick’s clothes and flesh were scattered across the area, and a large crater was formed on the riverbank.
Prima facie, the police have found out that the deceased did not wear an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit or bomb suit, nor any protective headgear. “We are trying to find out the circumstances leading to the tragedy. Additional DCP Anil Mishra will conduct a thorough inquiry,” commissioner of police Sanjeeb Panda told TOI.
Asked whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was followed while destroying the crackers, ADCP Mishra said clarity would emerge only after completion of the investigation.
Police sources said Mallick had reportedly disregarded all the prescribed safety precautions. According to the statements of two constables who were present at the spot and managed to escape unscathed, Mallick stood close to the piles of crackers when he ignited them. This action was in direct violation of the established standard operating procedure (SOP). Furthermore, Mallick failed to protect himself adequately, as he was not wearing a safety jacket or headgear at the time of disposal.
As per procedure, Mallick should have ignited the crackers from a safe distance of at least 200 metres. “He should have placed the crackers at one place and connected them with a long wire or thread. By standing at a safe distance, he should have ignited the crackers by burning the wire at his end. He could have used a remote-controlled or battery-operated blasting system,” a senior police officer said.
On June 26, 2010, a trained staffer of the bomb disposal squad was injured while defusing landmines in Malkangiri district. A havildar died while defusing seized crude bombs on the premises of Brahmagiri police station in Puri district on June 10, 2012. A sniffer dog got injured while detecting explosives near Hatamuniguda in Rayagada district during a Maoist bandh call on November 3, 2016. On Feb 26, 2020, firecrackers seized by police from illegal manufacturing units exploded on the premises of Patkura police station in Kendrapada. On September 28, 2021 Balanga police station in Puri district was destroyed after crackers stored in the malkhana (storeroom) exploded.
Mallick and two other constables carried huge quantities of crackers, seized by the police during Diwali last year, to the isolated Kathajodi riverbed for disposal.
As per procedure, the crackers were supposed to be destroyed through explosion with all safety precautions. When Mallick started the operation, the powerful explosives went off, leaving him critically injured. The other two constables, who were standing some distance away, managed to escape. They rushed a profusely bleeding Mallick to SCB Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police sources said there could be a possibility that some powerful crude bombs seized earlier by the cops may have got mixed up with the crackers. The blast was so intense that Mallick’s clothes and flesh were scattered across the area, and a large crater was formed on the riverbank.
Prima facie, the police have found out that the deceased did not wear an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit or bomb suit, nor any protective headgear. “We are trying to find out the circumstances leading to the tragedy. Additional DCP Anil Mishra will conduct a thorough inquiry,” commissioner of police Sanjeeb Panda told TOI.
Asked whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was followed while destroying the crackers, ADCP Mishra said clarity would emerge only after completion of the investigation.
Police sources said Mallick had reportedly disregarded all the prescribed safety precautions. According to the statements of two constables who were present at the spot and managed to escape unscathed, Mallick stood close to the piles of crackers when he ignited them. This action was in direct violation of the established standard operating procedure (SOP). Furthermore, Mallick failed to protect himself adequately, as he was not wearing a safety jacket or headgear at the time of disposal.
As per procedure, Mallick should have ignited the crackers from a safe distance of at least 200 metres. “He should have placed the crackers at one place and connected them with a long wire or thread. By standing at a safe distance, he should have ignited the crackers by burning the wire at his end. He could have used a remote-controlled or battery-operated blasting system,” a senior police officer said.
On June 26, 2010, a trained staffer of the bomb disposal squad was injured while defusing landmines in Malkangiri district. A havildar died while defusing seized crude bombs on the premises of Brahmagiri police station in Puri district on June 10, 2012. A sniffer dog got injured while detecting explosives near Hatamuniguda in Rayagada district during a Maoist bandh call on November 3, 2016. On Feb 26, 2020, firecrackers seized by police from illegal manufacturing units exploded on the premises of Patkura police station in Kendrapada. On September 28, 2021 Balanga police station in Puri district was destroyed after crackers stored in the malkhana (storeroom) exploded.
